Israel 'eliminates' IRGC Navy chief in Hormuz strike as Tehran refuses to confirm
TEL AVIV, ISRAEL: Israel has said it killed Alireza Tangsiri, the head of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy, in a targeted overnight operation linked to escalating tensions in the Strait of Hormuz.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said on Thursday, March 26, that the military had “eliminated” Tangsiri in a “precise and lethal operation,” adding that other senior naval officials were also killed. Iran has not confirmed or denied the claim.
Strategic role of IRGC Navy
The IRGC Navy operates independently of Iran’s regular naval forces and plays a central role in enforcing Tehran’s military and strategic objectives in the Gulf.
The force is part of the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which wields significant influence across Iran's political, military and economic landscape.
If confirmed, Tangsiri’s killing would mark the latest in a series of Israeli operations targeting senior Iranian figures.
Shipping disrupted as Iran tightens control
Commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global oil supplies, has dropped sharply amid the ongoing conflict.
According to maritime analysts, vessels are now being funnelled through a narrow route under Iranian control, with some reportedly paying hefty fees to transit safely.
“It’s been dubbed the Tehran toll booth,” said Tomer Raanan of Lloyd’s List, describing a system in which the IRGC effectively screens and controls ship movements.
Before the conflict, around 110 vessels crossed the strait daily. That number has now fallen to fewer than 10, reflecting heightened risks and operational constraints.
Fears of long-term maritime coercion
Iranian state media has reported that lawmakers are considering legislation to formalise charges on ships passing through the strait, potentially to offset war-related costs.
Analysts warn that such a move could signal a shift toward coercive maritime practices, with the risk of attacks on vessels that refuse to comply.
